From the “City Of Angels” come Flatline and their latest slab of metal goodness titled Pave The Way. Having been a fan of theirs for some time now, I was totally stoked to get a crack at reviewing their newest creation. These guys have toured with such noted acts as 36 Crazyfists, Threat Signal and In This Moment (just to name a few). But will Flatline finally get the recognition they deserve, or find themselves as just another opening act?
From the blistering opening track “Blessed By Death,” you can immediately tell that Flatline mean business. And that business is chewing you up, then so ungraciously spitting you out. The razor sharp guitar licks are laced with ferocious drums and lethal vocals. Flatline’s sound can only be described as some kind of monster. That monster being made up of the bones of Lamb Of God, the heart of Testament and the skin of bands like Pissing Razors and My Own Victim. Now tell me that’s not one sick, demented puppy! Flatline are able to re-create that thrash sound and mix it with a unique stomp that never seems to get old. This track is fast, merciless, and will make you happier than Tiger Woods at the Bunny Ranch.
“Generations Fall” is not only the first video off the album, but probably one of the best songs as well. From the opening blast beats, big grooves and hellacious vocals, you are instantly drawn in. Flatline are able to mix it up even more near the middle of the track with a very cool melodic interlude that will surely take your breath away. It’s an amazing track that will definitely see the repeat button.
“Nefarious” reaches back, grabs some older Testament riffs, drums and bass lines, and makes them beg for their lives. Travis Johnson’s vocals are just plain sick over the brutal guitar riffs, thunderous bass and monstrous drums.
By far, my favorite track is “The Passing.” The beginning of the track has a beautiful guitar line mixed with an almost Danzig-esque melody that is actually kind of cool. From that, the riffs are pure “thrash-a-rrific” genius that sound like they came straight off Testament’s Low album. Johnson and the boys take a very melodic approach to the choruses, which is interesting and somewhat unexpected.
Flatline take us completely in left field with “God As My Witness.” The opening acoustic arrangement is beautiful and could be described as the metal alternative of “Hotel California.” Once the verses kicked in though, I found myself daydreaming and not paying attention at all. The song has so many twists, turns and tempo changes that you aren’t really able to really sink your teeth into it. Everyone knows that albums have filler and, well, this is it.
The album does end on another high note with “Mulch.” Once again, Flatline dust off their Testament Low playbook and totally humiliate you. The blistering riffs are perfectly mixed with brutal vocals and a few melodies here and there just for good measure. The end of the track puts you through the meat grinder mentally with its precise double bass and brutal guitar chunk.
Pave The Way is an absolute beast of an album. If you haven’t checked these guys out before, then you’re definitely in for a treat. Honestly, in a day and age when just about every album you buy has only one or two good songs and the rest feels like filler, Pave The Way is not that album. There may be a song or two that really didn’t do much for me, but the album as a whole is killer. I say put the album in, grab your air guitar, and prepare to have a sore neck in the morning.
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One Comment
January 28th, 2010 at 8:15 pm
Just got this album from the Stand and Deliver give away and I have to say that it’s pretty bad ass! It’s just straight up metal in your face.
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